Letters to the Editor - July 16, 2008

From staff reports

Published: July 16, 2008

Non-sequitur of the week
I find it amusing how the Democrats and Republicans always vote party lines. That is why they can never get anything done. What are the Republicans trying to do to our roads? They are cutting everyone’s throat, including their own with their recent decision not to provide road funding.
Now, the reason I find it amusing is that in a way it would be the answer to some of our prayers, in regard to speeders.
Since there will not be enough money to keep up the roads, we will have to dodge potholes, even on the bypasses. That could be the answer to this problem of nuts not knowing the difference between the gas pedal and the brake. It sure would cut down on speeding by most. Personally, I think when the roads get bad enough they should be replaced with “good ole gravel.”
Can you think of a better way to control speeders? They would not dare fly down gravel roads and sling gravel up on their nice expensive vehicles, chipping paint and filling them full of dents. And, those brakes will not do them any good either, because there will be no asphalt or concrete to grab on to. Many will just slide on over a cliff or into a tree.
Maybe that will slow them down. They do not pay any attention to a ticket because they aren’t worth the money they are printed on. Since the government will not hit them hard in the pocketbook, let’s go back to gravel.
It just may save lives, conserve fuel, free up the sheriff’s department to concentrate on violent crimes, and cut cost too. You can bet with response times cut by the fire department and rescue squads, people will be more careful. People have to have some responsibility for their actions. Any better ideas?
Another thing that needs addressing is the spraying to kill vegetation on Izaak Walton Road. AEP, Verizon, or whoever should clean up that blight. Trees standing up and down the road, dead. Don’t be so lazy, just walk through there and cut them down.
It sure is an eyesore and most of our citizens do not want to look at this destruction of nature. We pay enough on our utility bills to take care of it. 

Wendy Nash
Amherst